The proposal, introduced by San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin, would also require public input and the supervisors’ approval before agencies buy investigative technology with public funds. That includes the purchase of license plate readers, toll readers, closed-circuit cameras, body cams, and biometrics technology and software for forecasting criminal activity.

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore plans to scrap a controversial program that uses data to identify individuals who are most likely to commit violent crimes, bowing to criticism included in an audit and by privacy groups.

The precedent-setting BVLOS provision is a major regulatory win for the entire U.S. drone industry. It will not only lay the groundwork for other public safety agencies, but also open the door for other industries to benefit from their successes.

The Fremont (CA) Police Department recently released video of an incident in February showing how an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a thermal imaging camera helped to locate a child missing from a local school for the deaf.

"Drones will be flying over watching the perimeters. It takes us a few minutes to get an officer to a perimeter breach but a drone takes 45 seconds," Indio Police Sgt. Dan Marshall said. "The drones will also allow us to monitor traffic better than before."

"The purpose is primarily for emergency situations," Oceanside police Lt. Aaron Doyle said last week. "It won't be used when someone complains about a neighbor flying a drone. It's pretty much for a life-or-death situation, to save lives."

The Los Angeles Police Department's years-long practice of keeping video from body cameras and patrol cars under wraps will soon end after the agency's civilian bosses approved a policy Tuesday that requires the release of recordings in the future.

A recent change at Facebook is having an impact on police and government agencies that's making them worried. The social media giant has changed its algorithm and residents may not be able to easily see posts from cities and counties.

The Los Angeles Police Commission voted 3-1 Tuesday to allow police to use drones in a one-year pilot program. Opponents of the plan were gathering outside LAPD headquarters downtown to protest the vote.